The Biggest Jackpot

Jack also chose to cut the material on the spot without hesitation. As he worked, his fists clenched tightly, his hands slick with sweat.

However, his nerves had nothing to do with whether he would strike it rich, for Jack already knew what was hidden inside the stone. His anxiety stemmed from a different source — what exactly was it, and more importantly, how much was it worth?

Five million! If it turned out to be worthless, well, it wasn't his own money on the line — it was Leo's. But even so, Jack didn't want to be the one to lose that amount of money. Leo trusted him.

All eyes were glued to the cutting master. Each spectator in the crowd held their breath, wondering what might emerge from the five-million-dollar gamble. The venue was so quiet that the only sound was the buzzing sizzle of the blade as it sliced through the stone.

With a click, the master made the final cut. The entire crowd leaned in, eyes wide with anticipation, no one daring to blink. And then… nothing. The cutting master, usually calm and professional, stood frozen in front of the machine like a statue, unmoving, his face an unreadable mask.

"What's going on?" Leo asked, his voice breaking the silence. His brow furrowed in confusion.

On stage, Cherry, overseeing the event, noticed the strange behavior too. Without a word, she hurried over to the machine, she bent down to inspect the stone closely. Her eyes, usually composed and calculating, immediately widened in shock when she saw it.

Cherry grabbed a flashlight and shone it on the freshly exposed material, revealing its full glory. The light refracted brilliantly off the surface, illuminating the whole venue.

The audience murmured in confusion and curiosity. "What's happening?" one man whispered. "Did he really hit the jackpot?" another muttered under his breath.

Finally, Cherry stood up straight, composed again, and, without keeping anyone in suspense, moved the raw stone under a spotlight, projecting its image onto the big screen for everyone to see.

"Glass-type imperial emerald," she announced, her voice carrying a slight tremor. "Unfortunately, the material isn't large, and there's quite a bit of waste." She paused, glancing at Jack and Leo. "But... the estimated value is... fifty million."

Fifty million!

The crowd gasped. Faces in the audience shifted between awe, shock, and disbelief. Some grumbled, while others sat stunned.

"Did she just say fifty million?" one man asked in a whisper, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair.

"That's impossible!" another one muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "If I had just bid a bit higher, that could've been my fortune."

Leo's reaction was instantaneous. He shot up from his seat, his face a mixture of exhilaration and disbelief. His heart pounded wildly, threatening to leap out of his chest.

Meanwhile, Jack sat motionless, staring at the screen in disbelief. His brain buzzed, and he couldn't process the sheer magnitude of what had just happened. Fifty million. His net worth had just increased tenfold in a matter of moments.

From millionaire to multi-millionaire, in one day.

Leo, his excitement boiling over, grabbed Jack by the shoulders and shook him, laughing uncontrollably. "Jack, you genius! I can't believe it! You actually did it!"

For a moment, Jack couldn't respond, still reeling from the shock. But Leo's infectious joy started to bring him back to reality. His lips curled into a hesitant smile, and soon enough, the realization hit him in full force.

"I... I did it?" Jack stammered, still a bit incredulous.

"You did! You really did!" Leo practically shouted, his voice full of pride. He laughed again, louder this time, as if the entire venue belonged to them.

In the crowd, reactions were mixed. Some clapped, unable to contain their admiration for Jack's luck. Others whispered to one another, jealousy clouding their expressions. One man in particular, who had been Jack's fiercest competitor in the auction, sat slumped in his chair, his face pale with regret.

"If only I had gone higher," he mumbled to himself. "That emerald could've been mine. Damn it!"

Another bidder leaned over to his friend, shaking his head. "This just isn't my day. I thought for sure that material was a dud. Fifty million? Who could've guessed?"

"Sometimes it's just not in the cards for us," his friend replied, giving a resigned shrug.

Up on stage, Cherry observed the crowd's reaction with a slight smile. She had seen many big winners and losers in this business, but even she had to admit, this was a rare moment. She glanced at Jack again, who was now beginning to grasp the full magnitude of his success.

Leo's heart continued to race as he recalled his own early days in the trade, when he first struck gold. He remembered the sleepless nights and the excitement that came with his initial windfall. That feeling — pure, unadulterated elation — was something he knew all too well. Now, looking at Jack, he could see the same disbelief and wonder reflected in his friend's eyes.

"Come on," Leo said with a grin, grabbing Jack by the arm and leading him toward the payment area. "Let's go claim our prize."

Jack, still in a daze, allowed himself to be guided away, a satisfied grin slowly spreading across his face. His life had just changed in a way he hadn't thought possible, and while the moment still felt surreal, one thing was clear:

Luck was on his side today.

As they walked away, the murmurs in the crowd grew louder. "Unbelievable," someone muttered. "That kid just became a millionaire right in front of us."

"Well, I guess we'll all be keeping a closer eye on him next time," another added.